Alarm-check valve.



A. C. ROWLEY.l ALARM CHECK VALVE.

APPLICATION HLED FEB. l0. 1914.

w/rNEssEs A rromvsv A. C. ROWLEY. ALARM CHECK VALVE. APPucATmN FILED FEB. 1o, 1914 1 ,1 37,0275. Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1' s y wl Ns ses n Il M 1 ORNE-Y 'to communicate with a supply yUlll'lkEI) STATES ENT GFFIC.

ARTHUR C. RWLEY, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 ASSOCIATED AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER CO., 0F PHILAQELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE.

ALARM-CHECK VALVE.

Application led February 10. 1914.

all whom it m oy concern.'

Be it known that I, Alrrurm C. RowLEv, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Alarm-Check Valves, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

(lue object of this invention is to provide an improved alarm check valve including a casing, and a main valve or clapper, and auxiliary or alarm valve inclosed in the casing. and in which 'the auxiliary valve is arranged to move as a result of the movenient of the uiain valve, and may be So adjusted as to begin to open Simultaneously with the main valve so as to give an alarm as soon after the inception of an 1opening movement of the latter as the mechanical functions necessary for the operation of the alarm proper can he fulfilled and which in practice require only an extremely shortl period of time, or so adjusted as to give the main valve a predetermined amount of lead in its opening movement with respect to the opening-iiiovement of the auxq iliary valve, so asto delay the operation of the alarm for a further brief interval of time after the inception of an opening movenient of the. main valve, to allow for water hammer or otheryhri'iig variations in pressure.

A further objet-'got this invention is to provide an improved alarm check valve including va casing provided ivith. a supply opening and a discharge opiening adapted ipe and a discharge pipe respectively,lan with an opening normally closed y a removable cover or bonnet, andmoiiahle members including a main valve ahd an auxiliary 4valve arranged in the casing and conveniently accessible and removable through the latter opening when the cover is removed and without disturbing the supply pipe or the discharge pipe.

(lther 'objects of this invention will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section ofan -alarm check valve constructed in accordance with this invention; Fige2 a transverse section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a fragmentary side Speciicaton of Letters Patent.

rovided Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

seriai Ns, 517,750.

A or supply` opening l1 and at its opposite end wlth an outlet or discharge o ening 12,

these two openings ll and 12 eing substantially circular in shape and arranged coaxially with the body portion 1U of the cas ing, and forming portions of a main passage through the casing. The body portion 10 of the casing is preferably provided with two flatparallel annular anges 13 and 14, preferably integral therewith and surrounding the inlet and outlet openings respectively and coaxial therewith. These flanges are provided with siiitahle apertures 15 and 16 through which bolts may be inserted for connecting the casing to suitable supply and discharge pipes (not shown) respectively. The interior of the casing 9 is divided into an inlet compartment Q0 communicating vf ith the inlet 11, and an outlet comportaient 2i communicating with the outlet 12, by niet of a transverse approxin'iatnly annular p... 'f tition 22, preferably integral with the cas ing and the inner mariha portion of which is preferably arrang` in a plane inclined slightly with respect to the longitudinal axis-i of thebody portion i() of the eosin". The body of the casing may also beprovidefl with a threaded opening 23 through one side. thereof and communicating with the inlet compartment Q0 and adapted to receive a,

and which is clamped securely to the seat Q5 by means of bolts 29 extending loosely through the flange Q8 and threaded into the seat. For a purpose which will appear hereinafter, this cover 27 is provided centrally with a corrugation 30 forming an internal recess 31 extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body portion of the casing, and the cover may be provided centrally with a tapped aperture 32 adapted to receive a pipe for connecting the outlet compartment 21 with a pressure gage.

For controlling the flow of water, steam or ether tiuid through theflniain passage between the supply opening 11 and the outlet opening 12, thereis arranged within the body portion 10 of the casing and between the annular' partition 22 and the outlet opening 12, a substantially circular main valve or clapper 35 which is provided upon its inlet side with a Hat annular marginal surface 36 which is proportioned and arranged to ccperate with an annular valve seat 37 which is threaded into the annular partition Q2 and which is provided with a comparatively narrow flat bearing edge 38 which is arranged in a plane slightly inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body 10 of the casing and substantially parallel to the plane of the inner marginal portion of the partition 22, and against which the fiat marginal under surface 36 of the main valve engages when the main valve is closed.

For supporting the main valve 35 to oscillate with respect to its seat 37 about a fixed axis coincident with the flat marginal under surface 36 of the valve regardless ofthe position of the valve. and coincident with the bearing edge 38 of the valve seat, the main valve is provided with two substantially parallel arms 45 preferably integral there with and projecting therefrom approximately in a plane therewith and toward the cover 27. The outer ends of these arms are enlarged and form two substantially cylindrical spaced coaxial bearings 46, which are snugly but rotatably mounted upon a cylindrical pivot 47 extending therethrough and the longitudinalaxis of Vwhich is coincident with the plane of the bearing edge 38 ofthe main valve seat 37 and substantially parallel to the plane of the Hat annular end 25 of the hollow extension 24 of the casing. The ends of the pivot 47 fit tightly in two lugs 48 and 49 respectively preferably integral with and projecting inwardly from the easing 9, and the inner ends of which are engaged snugly but rotatively by the outer e'nds of the bearings `r1G whereby the bearings are held against movement longitudinally with respect to the pivot 47. The main valve 35 is cuppedor depressed centrally as at 50 throughout the major portion of its area and in the direction of the inlet opening 11, and the main valve is provided upon its outlet side with a lug 51 preferably integral therewith which is adapted to act as a stop to hold 'the valve when in a full open position as will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose ot sounding or otherwise giving an alarm when the main valve35 swings into an open position, there is provided an auxiliary valve 55 which coperates with an auxiliary valve seat 5G pro` vided with a longitudinal central cylindrical valve port 57 through which communication is had between the outlet compartment 21 and the inner end of a cored or bored alarm passageway or by-pass 5S provided therefor in a lug59 which projects inwardly from the casing 9 into the outlet compartment 21 and the inner end of which is inclined toward the central portion of the cover or bon net Q7. The auxiliary valve seat 56 is preferably in the form of a removable bushing, one end of whichis threaded into the lug 59, as at 60, and the other end of which is exterior-ly in the form of a truncated cone,

Vas at 61, and terminates in a comparatively narrow flat annular bearing surface 62, c0- axial withthe auxiliary valve 55 when the auxiliary valve is in position against the seat. This bearing surface 62 is preferably spaced from the plane of the bearing surface 38 of the main valve and in a plane forming an obtuse angle with the plane of the latter bearing surface. The outer end of the passageway or by-pass 58 communicates with a transverse passage G5 extending through the wall of the casing 9 and the opposite ends of which are preferably threaded as at 66 and (37 to receive outlet pipes 68 and 69 leading to any well known alarm or alarms will be given.

For actuating the auxiliary valve 55 to open either simultaneously with the opening'of the main valve or at a predetermined and adjustable interval after lthek opening of the main valve35, the auxiliary valve comprises a substantially c v-"lindrical -body portion having a flat inner surface arranged to engage against the auxiliary valve seat 56 and is provided with a cylindrical stein 70 projecting outwardly therefrom and preferably integral and coaxial therewith and the outer end of which engages snugly but slidably in a cylindrical axial recess 7l provided therefor in the inner end ot` a plug 72.

The plug 72 is threaded into the outer end ol' a sleeve 73 coaxial therewith. which nrojerts inwardly l'i'oin the inner end ole the y plug and the inner portion ol which looselv A i f .ne plug 755 also in the form of a hexngon w mim' feuitfxbl shape in Cross-Section, for wm'enimca in 'adjustment Vl'mu tim foregfuing. it is widrnt that the Yalfr? :and Rho parts mperntin unitn nu :lush Hun, in the npmr'li'ion 0% device, the Sleeve T3 surrounding the :mxim'y miv@ :3.3 mows in unison with the 3? und uuau mlm 35, und that the Yi! muy h@ adjusted ongiudnuly as tu pxrm m" muy dcsix'f amount of .vnnn pxwrfbml Ennis, f the Mulini minst E011l w vulva ille f a? n* rui the un, n

of hose parts may be conveniently adjusted or re` moved and replaced through the opening controlled b v the co\er if. The auxiliary valve 55 and the adjustable parts .surrounding the fame, are located at a cruisiderable distance l'roni the main .al'ie and out ot the direct path of the main current ot' water through the casing. thus avoiding any interference by accumulations otl sediment which would cause false alarm. The auxili iary valve is also located nearer than the niain valve to the cover 3T and in such a position that adjustment ot the auxiliary valve to vary the lcad`- otl the main valve may oe conveniently eti'ected. When in operative position, this improved alarm check valve is usually arranged so that the longitudinal axis through the inlet 11 and outlet l'l is substantially horizontal and the cover 2T is on the upper side ot' the casing, with the drain pipe opening- Sil on the under side otl the casing. but the casing,r may be arranged vertically or in any other suitable position.

Instead ot constructing and mounting the auxiliary valve as heretot'ore described and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the auxiliary valve may be constructed and mounted as shown in Fig. 1., In this modilied form the auxiliary valve 100 is mounted to reciprocate in a sleeve 101 which is threaded into one end of a lever 10; which is mounted to oscillate about the pivot A1T in the same manner that the lever S0 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is mounted` but in this moditied t'orm the inner end ot` the lever 102 is adjust ably connected to the main valve 15 hy a cap screw 103 which extends loosely through an aperture 101 provided therclor in the inner end of thel lever 10'), and threaded into aud is longitudinally adjustable with res-peet to the main valve 15, being held in any position ot' adjustment by a lock nut 105 bearing against the main valve. `'l`he outer end of the screw 103 is provided with a head 100, which is normally.' so arranged as to permit ot' a limited l'ree movement ol' the inner end ot' the levcr 102 longitudinally of the screw 103.

In this nioditied t'orin the iuxiliary valve- 100 is provided with a stein or hub 10T and radial ribs 10T integral therewith the outer longitudinal edges of the ribs forming Aguides t'or the valve, and a plug 10S is dinal adjustment of the sleeve 101 is necessary as the time ot' the opening ot the auxiliary valve with respect to the main valve may be adjusted by adjusting the cap screw 103 so as to have the auxiliary valve opened either simultaneously with or shortly after the opening o1 the main valve.

In the forni ot invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the spiral spring T5 may ordinarily be omitted as the anxilitry valve will 0rdinarily be drawn into and held in position on its ,scat by the siphonie or other action of the water or other tluid passing outwardly through the alarm passage 5S. .In the form ot' the invention shown in Fig. 4 a spiral spring" may be inserted between the horir/,ontal valve and the plug, it' desired although ordinarily for reasons just stated this would not be necessary.

Although only a single form has been shown in which this invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specic form shown, but'. might he embodied in various forms without departing t'rom the spirit of this invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described this invention, I claim and desire to protect by Letters Iatent ot' the United States:

1. An alarm check valve comprising a CaS- ing` a main valve inclosed in saideasing and arranged to oscillate about a fixed axis with respect thereto` an auxiliary Avalve, and means detachably connected to said main vabeI for oscillating said auxiliary valve, said auxiliary valve having a limited m0venient with respect to said main valve.

'3. An alarm check valve comprising a casing, a main valve inclosed in said casing and arranged to oscillate about a txed axis with respect thereto, an auxiliary valve, means detachably connected to .said main valve for oscillating said auxiliary valve, said auxiliary valve having a limited movement with respect to said main valve, and yielding means tending to move said secondary valve with respect to said main valve.

3. An alarm check valve comprising a casing. a main valve arranged in said casing, a pivot upon which said main valve is arranfred to oscillate` a level arranged to 0sellate upon said pivot and detaehably connected to said main valve, and an auxiliary valve arranged to be actuated by said lever.

t. .\n alarm check valve comprising a casing, a main valve arranged in said casing, a pivot upon which said main valve is arranged t0 oscillatc, a lever arranged to oscillate upon said pivot and detachably connectcd to .said main valve. and an auxiliary valve arranged to be actuated by said lever, and ha ving a limited movement with respect thereto when in operation.

a. An alarm check valve comprising a casing, a valve arranged in said casing, a 'pivot extending in said casing and Carried thereby and upon which said valve is arranged to oscillatc, a lever mounted upon said pivot and an auxiliary valve carried by said lever, said pivot being removable longitudinally from said casing and from engage nient with said iever.

6. An alarm check valve comprising a cas l0 ing, providing a main passageway and an` alarm passageway, a main valve arranged to control said main passageway, and an auxiliary valve arranged to control .said alarm passageway and means detaehably connected to said main valve for moving said auxiliary valve, said auxiliary valve being arranged to permit said main valve to open in advance of the opening of said auxiliary valve.

7. An alarm check valve comprising a casing, a main valve inclosed thereby and arranged to oscillate with respect thereto about a. predetermined axis',` an auxiiiary valve, and

means arranged to oscillate about said axis y and in unison with said main valve and detachably connected to said main valve for actuating said auxiliary valve, said means being adjustable with respect to said main valve to permit said main valve to open in advance of said auxiliary valve.

8. An alarm check valve comprising a casing, a valve arranged in said casing, a pivot extending in said casing and carried thereby and upon which said valve is arranged to 0scillate, a lever mounted upon said pivot and detachably connected to said valve, and an auxiliary valve carried by said lever.

9. An alarm cheek valve comprising a casing, a valve arranged in said casing, a pivot extending in saideasing and carried thereby and upon which said valve is arranged to 0scillate, a lever mounted upon said pivot and detachably connected to said valve, and an auxiliary valveJ carried by said lever, said pivot being removable longitudinally froml said casin and from engagement with said iirst-nient1oned valve and said lever.

10. An alarm check valve comprising a casing, a main valve inclosed thereby and arranged to oscillate with respect thereto about a predetermined-axis, a bell crank lever arranged to oseillate about said axis in unison with said main valve and having one end detachably connected to said main valve, and an auxiliary valve carried by the other cud of said lever and having a limited movenient vwith respect thereto to permit said main valve to open in advance of said auxiliary valve.

, 1l. An alarm check valve comprising a. casing, a main valve inclosed thereby and arranged to oscillate with respect thereto about a predetermined axis, an element an; ranged to oscillate about said axis in unison with said main valve, an'auxiliary valve provided with a stem and arranged to be carried b v and to reciprocate with respect to said element, and yielding `means sur' rounding `said stem and tending to press said auxiliary valve in a predetermined direction with respect to said element.

1i?. An alarm cheek valve ,comprising a casing. a main valve inclosed thereby and arranged to oscillate with respect thereto about a predetermined horizontal axis, and :1n-auxiliary valve arranged in said casing to be oscillated about said axis by the movement of said main valve. said main valve and said auxiliary valve being upon opposite sides of a vertical plane coincident with said axis vvhen said main valve is closed.

'13. An alarm check valve comprising a casing, a main valve inclosed thereby and arranged to oscillate with respect thereto about a predetermined horizontal axis, and an auxiliary valve arranged in said Casing to be oscillatcd about said axis by the movement of said main valve` said main valve and said auxiliary valve being upon oppo site Sides of a vertical plane coincident with said axis when said main valve is closed, said casing being provided with a door arranged upon the same side of said plane as said auxiliary valve when said main valve is closed.

I n Witness whereof, I have hereunto Set mV hand this ninth day of February A, D.,

1 914. ARTHUR C. ROWLEY.

Witnesses A. IRWIN GARDNER, ALEXANDER PARK.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,137,025, granted April 27, 1915,

upon tbc application of Arthur C. Rowley. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for an improvement in "Alarm-Check Valves," an error appears in thc printed specification requiring corrcction im followbj: Page 4, line T5, for the word auxilitry read auxiliary; :1nd thnt thc Suid Letters Patent should be rend with this correction thcrcin that the samc may conform to the record of the case in tbc Patent Oflcc.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of May, A. D., 1915.

[SEAL] R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Correction in Letters Patent No. 1,137,025. 

